Welcome to the town page for Lydd. Explore your town map to discover people who lived in your town during the First World War.

This is where the Scouts met, including Henry (Harry) G Balchin
He transferred to a the Yorkshire Light Infantry after being stationed in Yorkshire in the Service Corps. Sent to France he was killed in action on 13th November 1917 aged 19 and his battlefield cross is in the Church

The Picturedrome featured live music and advertised itself as a high class establishment. The manager was Mr Bertram during the War and he advertised for lady musicians to play the piano, violin and cello.

The Picturedrome featured live music and advertised itself as a high class establishment. The manager was Mr Bertram during the War and he advertised for lady musicians to play the piano, violin and cello.

Rosa Jones was aged 30 when she was engaged by the Red Cross as a trained nurse arriving in France on the 20th October 1914. She served overseas for the entirety of the War in France and in 1920 she was still serving at The Hague. Rosa was awarded the 1914 Star for her service- not many nurses received this.

The home was used to billet soldiers during the War.

William Chesterman attended the Lydd Wesleyan Sunday School when visiting his grandfather and was a choir member.Although William was working in Sierra Leone when War broke out he returned and enlisted in the Queen’s West Surrey Regiment and was an acting Sergeant Major when he was killed in action on the 30th April 1917 in France

William John Marshall’s home address was Poplar House, Lydd. He had joined the Royal Navy in 1906 aged 18. He served on several ships during the War including HMS Hibernia at the Dardenelles in 1915 and was a Petty Officer. William continued to sail after the War with the Royal Fleet Reserve until 1927.

Percival Fitz-Patrick Moles ( b 1899); whose parents ran the Soldiers Home; joined the Royal Flying Corps in October 1917 as soon as he was 18, he died of illness in 1919.

George Henry Paine whose family lived at the Beehive during WW1, served in Indian Expeditionary Force. He was wounded several times and finally demobilised in 1920. He was a well-known local publican, hi final pub being The Star.

During the First World War this was the Fire Station. It now houses Lydd Town Museum which has a number of interesting WW1 displays. Daily from July 23rd until Sept 24th, 2 30 till 5pm, then weekends in Oct, 2 30 till 5pm

George Henry Paine whose family lived at the Beehive during WW1, served in Indian Expeditionary Force. He was wounded several times and finally demobilised in 1920. He was a well-known local publican, hi final pub being The Star.

George Henry Paine whose family lived at the Beehive during WW1, served in Indian Expeditionary Force. He was wounded several times and finally demobilised in 1920. He was a well-known local publican, hi final pub being The Star.

George Henry Paine whose family lived at the Beehive during WW1, served in Indian Expeditionary Force. He was wounded several times and finally demobilised in 1920. He was a well-known local publican, hi final pub being The Star.

Raymond Turner was the son of Horace (the local shoe repairer) and Caroline and lived at 2 New Street –. Raymond was a Private in the 7th Battalion the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and fell during the battle of the Somme on 13th July 1916, aged 22 and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.

Raymond Turner was the son of Horace (the local shoe repairer) and Caroline and lived at 2 New Street –. Raymond was a Private in the 7th Battalion the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and fell during the battle of the Somme on 13th July 1916, aged 22 and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.

Chris Richardson speaks about his grandfather who fought in both WW1 and WW2:

‘This is a classic of Joe, aged 17– they must have made the photo into a postcard (a big new thing in 1911). This was three years before the war, and he was training in Lydd, Kent which was the main military training camp for testing explosives (built in 1888) – there was no thought of a War in 1911 – so Joe had quite a life that we didn’t know about. Joe marked himself with an ‘X’ but the postcard was never posted so he kept it through both wars (he fought in both) and gave it to us just before he died aged 71 (March 7th 1894 to December 9th 1965).'

Looking at Joe’s WW1 record (damaged and partially burned by a bomb in WW2) – I note he was in the MEF. The Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) was part of the British Army during World War 1 that commanded all Allied forces at Gallipoli and Salonika. Once Salonika became the sole Mediterranean theatre the MEF was commanded by General Archibald Murray who was based in Egypt and whose command also involved defence of the Suez Canal from Turkish attacks. As the importance of the Sinai front grew, a separate headquarters called the Egyptian Expeditionary Force was formed (in March 1916). This is the place where Joe told us he had killed several Turks in the fighting to stop the Turks overrunning the vital Suez Canal. Below is a picture of the Turkish troops as they dug in for the attempt to take the canal.

And as the Turkish Forces prepared to attack Suez.'

'The battle for Suez'

'Joe was a Sergeant, commanding a field gun similar to this – with a team of 6 men per gun'

Courtesy of Chris Richardson Child (Grandson)

The Postcard below shows the Royal Garrison Artilery at Lydd. Judging by the language, we believe the postcard is from a student to his old teacher in Cumberland. The card was sent 11th Feb 1916

The Transcribed text reads:

‘Dear Sir, Sorry I did not write sooner. This is the kind of gun I am training on expect to go abroad with same. Hoping you are keeping A1 like myself. I am working for my living at last. Joe.’

‘Mr J. T. Beatson, Whitehaven Road, Cleaton Moar ,Cumberland’

Courtesy of D Price

Simon Coxhill is looking for any more information on his great grandfather.

This photo is taken from a family album and reads:

‘Just a gentle reminder H. Coxhill Lydd Camp Kent 21.8.15’

Courtesy of Simon Coxhill

This certificate was awarded to Harry Mittell for his service as a Special Constable in Lydd throughout the First World War.

Harry was a native of Lydd, being born in mid 1875/76; the family had a connection with farming, however he was listed in an early census as residing at Dolphin’s Inn, South Street, Lydd.

Image and text courtesy of Harry Mittell’s great niece, Judy Winstanley.

This card was sent in 1915 by Dick to his friend Jack. Dick gives his address as 19 Siege Comp, 4 Section, Lydd, and promises his friend a long letter which he will write when he is next on guard all night- this gives some idea of the lack of activity in this location. The card was sent 15th March 1915

The transcribed text reads:

‘19 Siege Company, 4 Section, Lydd, Kent’

‘Dear Jack, Sorry I cant get the card I spoke about they are all sold but you see I arrived back safe. will write a letter next time I am on guard all night so you see what I am on. Best wishes to you both Dick’

‘Mr John Chalker, 10 Bradford Rd, Sydenham, S.E, London

Courtesy of D.Price.

An unusual image from inside the camp showing the large guns which were used for training. There appears to be an inspection taking place outside of the hut on the right of the picture. These huts appear to be the original brick built huts rather than the tin huts which were erected during the First World War due to the expansion of operations at the Camp.

Courtesy of D.Price.

This postcard was sent 20th Jan 1917 from Sydney who had probably been stationed at Lydd for training on the ranges. We do not know which regiment he was serving with, only that he was moving onto Bristol. The picture of the guns on the rail track is interesting because it shows some of the extensive rail network which existed within the camp.

The transcribed text reads:

"My Darling Wife, Just a line to say that I am in the advance party to go to Bristol, and shall be off on Monday. I don't know for certain yet, but I think I shall be able to spend most of Sunday with you at least, probably coming about Friday, but will let you know later Darling. Have just sent a card like this to (?) Gothard, and promised to write from Bristol. Excuse me now Darling, but I will write a long letter from B. With all my love & kisses from your ever devoted Sydney."

Courtesy of D Price.